Thinking About Terminating Your Pregnancy

When you first find out that you are pregnant, there are three options that are available to you:

  1. You can choose to keep the baby and raise your child yourself.
  2. You can choose to carry the baby to term and then to give the child up for adoption.
  3. You can choose to terminate the pregnancy by having an abortion.


To decide which option is right for you, it helps to learn more about each option, consider the risks and benefits and talk your decision over with someone you can trust - a family member, a friend, your partner, or a teacher or guidance counselor.

If you are thinking that abortion may be the option that’s right for you, you’re not alone. There are many women - and teens - who choose to have an abortion. Here are some of the reasons why they make that choice:

  • They do not feel prepared for parenthood and everything that goes along with it.
  • They do not believe they can afford to have a baby.
  • They recognize that having a baby can interfere with their ability to work, go to school, or to reach other goals that they have set for themselves.
  • They are afraid to be a single parent.
  • Their pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
  • The baby will not be born healthy or carrying a baby would not be safe for the mother.
  • They feel that they don’t have the maturity to be a good parent.
  • They don’t want others to know that they got pregnant.

If one of those reasons sounds close to the reason why you are thinking about abortion, then it’s a good idea to get more information about the procedure, when you should make a decision, possible risks and the fears and concerns that many women - particularly teens - have about abortion.

The first thing to address is when to make the decision to have an abortion. It’s important to know that abortion is a safe procedure with little risk of complications. However, it’s also important to know that the later in the pregnancy that an abortion happens, the higher the risk of complications. While you shouldn’t rush the decision, this is something that you’re going to want to keep in mind. Before discussing those risks, however, it will help to know more about the different types of abortions.

In-Clinic Abortions

As the name implies, in-clinic abortions are performed either in a family planning center such as Planned Parenthood or in a doctor’s office. Before the actual procedure, you’ll have an appointment to talk over your options, let the provider learn more about your medical history, and make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure. In other words, there will be lab tests and a physical examination. You will also read and sign the paperwork acknowledging that you are having the procedure by choice and you understand the risks.

Aspiration Abortions

Aspiration abortions are the simplest and most common procedures performed in-clinic. The provider will perform an examination of your uterus; you’ll be given pain medication and your cervix will be stretched to give the provider access to perform the abortion. A tube will be inserted through the cervix and a suction tool will be used to empty your uterus.

While the procedure itself is short - typically less than 10 minutes, you’ll spend time before the procedure having your cervix dilated and you will stay in a recovery area for a time after it has been completed. To prevent infection, women who have aspiration abortions will also be given antibiotics.

D&E

For those who are having an in-clinic abortion later in pregnancy (after the first trimester), a D&E (dilation and extraction) will be performed. Preparation for the procedure - an exam, dilation of the cervix and pain medication - will be about the same as an aspiration abortion. However a speculum will be inserted into your vagina as well. In addition to suction to remove the fetus, forceps and other medical devices will be used.

A D&E abortion takes a bit more time than an aspiration abortion because it is a more complicated procedure. For those women whose pregnancies are into the second trimester, the abortion provider may also administer a shot through your abdomen to make sure that the fetus in not living when removed from your body.

Medication Abortions

For some women, the idea of having an in-clinic abortion seems too invasive or public; many of them, within the first 60 days of their pregnancy, will turn to medication abortions instead. As with any abortion, you will have to discuss your options with a provider, go over your medical history and make sure that you’re healthy enough to have an abortion. While you fill out necessary paperwork, you will also receive a medication guide that explains the procedure further and provides contact information in case you have questions.

There are three steps involved in a medication abortion.

  1. You’ll take the abortion pill as well as antibiotics to prevent infection. Basically, this medication blocks progesterone; without the hormone, the lining of your uterus will break down and it won’t be possible for the pregnancy to continue.
  2. Your provider will let you know when the time is right to take Misoprostol, a second medication that will cause cramping and bleeding while your body releases and empties your uterus.
  3. Within two weeks of taking the Misoprostol, you will need to go in for a follow up appointment with your provider to ensure that the abortion was complete.

Despite the myths that are spread about abortion - myths like abortions cause breast cancer or keep women from getting pregnant again later in life - the procedure is safe. For the most part, bleeding and cramping after the procedure are the only things that a woman experiences physically.

Emotionally, however, women have a wide variety of reactions after having an abortion. Some women are angry, others are sad, others experience regret or guilt. There can be a sense of loss - like after a breakup. Other women simply feel relieved that the procedure is over and done with.

Many pregnant women - and pregnant teens - shy away from abortion because they are concerned about how people will react, about religious implications and fear of judgment. Ultimately, however, those who are pregnant and considering abortion are going to want to make a decision for themselves rather than based on others’ opinions.